Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is among the oldest and most historically progressive medical schools in Maryland and in the United States. Year after year, the school attracts many of the brightest minds in medicine, both as students and faculty. Our guide will help you understand the structure of Johns Hopkins Medical School curriculum, its various degree programs, and the admissions data you need to increase your chances for success.
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Johns Hopkins Medical School Mission Statement
"The mission of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is to prepare physicians to practice compassionate clinical medicine of the highest standard and to identify and solve fundamental questions in the mechanisms, prevention and treatment of disease, in health care delivery and in the basic sciences."
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Admissions Statistics and Eligibility
Overall acceptance rate: 6.3%
In-state success rate: 2.18%
Out-of-state success rate: 1.85%
Overall GPA: 3.96
Science GPA: 3.96
MCAT: 521
The Johns Hopkins Medical School accepts in- and out-of-state applicants, Canadian applicants, International applicants, and DACA status applicants. They do not accept transfer students.
Available Programs at Johns Hopkins Medical School
Why choose to apply to Johns Hopkins? One student shares:
“For me, it was a priority to feel happy and supported in medical school, and I had friends who were already medical students at Hopkins that could attest to the positive community and student life. I feared it would be too competitive, but the pass/fail curriculum eliminated that atmosphere. The abundance of research opportunities reassured me that I would be able to find mentors in my chose niche. While I was a bit intimidated at the thought of applying, I am glad that I did!" - Daniela M. Barata Herrera, current student at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Academic Curriculum at Johns Hopkins Medical School
The MD program’s Genes to Society Curriculum is unique in the world of medical education. As former Assistant Dean Paul White noted , it’s a significant remodeling of the prior MD curriculum, in large part to “better address the social determinants of disease.” This goal is achieved through the 15-month Genes to Society course, longitudinal ambulatory clerkship, and multi-day concentrated TIME courses.
The rest of the MD curriculum follows a more standard progression model, moving from coursework early on into core clerkships, scholarly concentrations, and finally advanced clerkships in the fourth year.
Check out additional tips that will help you get into Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine:
Application Timeline
The Johns Hopkins medical school utilizes AMCAS for its application process, and so follows a similar timeline to most medical schools:
Pre-requisites and Recommended Courses
The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine pioneered the use of medical school prerequisites for their MD program, and maintains a continued commitment to high standards for applicants’ pre-medical work.
Prerequisites:
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry (organic and general)
- Humanities and Social Sciences (minimum 24 semester hours)
- Mathematics
- Calculus or Statistics
- Physics
In addition to prerequisite courses, candidates are also required to show competency in computer literacy, communication skills, and teamwork skills. In addition to communication skills in English, it is strongly recommended that students also have basic conversational skills in a non-English language. These proficiencies may be shown simply through the presence of relevant coursework on a student’s transcript, but it may be helpful to show these skills in one’s AMCAS personal statement or secondary application essays.
Tuition and Debt
Johns Hopkins offers the following breakdown of annual fees and expenses for the first year. The only significant change in successive years is the lack of matriculation fees after the first year, the elimination of imaging fees following the second year, and the addition of USMLE fees as indirect costs in years 2 and 3.
- Tuition: $64,600
- Total Cost of Attendance: $102,068
- Average Graduating Debt: $104,745
Funding Opportunities
Approximately 85% of students in the Johns Hopkins Medical School who apply for funding are approved. Aid packages usually include medical school scholarships and loans, and are calculated based on a combination of information provided by the student’s FAFSA and CSS Profile applications.
Given the number and affluence of many of Johns Hopkins’ alumni and donors, more than 250 opportunities for direct scholarship aid are available to medical students each year. Overall, the school boasts more than $331 million in federal research grants and contracts, making the possibility of additional funding through research and other scholarly projects quite likely.
Selection Factors
Like most medical schools, Johns Hopkins selects candidates for first-round interviews based on the strength of AMCAS application materials, and students who exemplify the following characteristics:
- Academic Excellence
- Service, Compassion, and Humanism
- Ability to work in a team
- Leadership
- Diversity
Current student at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and BeMo Consultant Daniela M. Barata Herrera offers invaluable and actionable insights to help other students demonstrate their suitability for the program to the discerning admissions committee.
“On the practical side, I had research in clinic and laboratory settings, great letters of recommendation, and experience working in a research fellowship at NIH. Those factors boosted my application but it was my personal statement that really helped me stand out. I told the story of my experience as a first-generation immigrant and how my upbringing and professional experience both led me to have a genuine passion for medicine and helping people. - Daniela M. Barata Herrera, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
GPA and MCAT
A candidate’s GPA and MCAT score are massively influential in securing an interview. Average matriculant GPA was a sizable 3.96, and median MCAT score was 521, with a range of 517 to 525.
To ace the MCAT, commit to an MCAT study schedule that fits your overall timeline. Determining when to start studying for the MCAT is your first step, followed by taking an MCAT diagnostic test. Individual study plans vary by student and schedule, but ideally, begin your preparation about six months ahead of your exam date. You may also benefit from working with an MCAT tutor or prep service, especially if you’re on a restrictive timetable or are coming from a non-science background.
Personal Statement
The most critical aspect of your personal statement is its honesty and narrative quality.
Your essay must answer the question ‘Why do you want to be a doctor?” Reading through medical school personal statement examples from accepted applicants is a good place to start, taking note of how they weave in accomplishments without listing or merely “telling.” Look for opportunities to organically include examples of the personal characteristics that the school is looking for in candidates.
I connected my experiences in research, leadership, empathy, advocacy, and clinical contexts to full illustrate the essential qualities of a physician. Most importantly, it was MY story. Compared to other pre-med students, I did not have any groundbreaking or unique experiences, but my “why medicine” was abundantly clear.” - Daniela M. Barata Herrera, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Check out these medical school personal statement examples!
Letters of Recommendation
The Johns Hopkins Medical School does things a little differently when it comes to letters of recommendation. They accept the “Committee Letter,” which is a written by a group or committee of faculty members, and they prefer it.
Reflect on the selection factors the admissions committee is looking for and approach letter writers who can provide specific examples of how you demonstrate these qualities. Your transcript already speaks for itself, so ask writers to focus on your leadership skills, ability to work in a team, and compassion.
The Committee Letter can be substituted for three individual letters—two in sciences and one in non-science—but we recommend doing whatever you need in order to procure the former.
Extracurriculars
Premed extracurriculars are almost uniform among recent matriculants:
It is imperative to have shadowing experience and research or lab work on your CV. Shadowing is especially easy to set up, and if you’re wondering how to ask to shadow a doctor the process is straightforward. Most doctors are happy to help, but those you know beyond mere acquaintance should be your first choice.
BeMo Consultant Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet strongly agrees with the importance of shadowing work in a clinical setting.
“I think that clinical exposure is quite helpful to explore the various healthcare roles and to ensure that medicine is truly the profession you want. Being in a clinical setting allows you to witness the roles, hours, and responsibilities, and even consider other health related roles.” - Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD, University of Alberta
Secondary Essays
When selected to submit the Secondary Application, candidates are required to complete specific medical school secondary essay prompts as part of the application. Current Johns Hopkins student, Daniela M. Barata Herrara cautions candidates to prepare in advance for the secondary essay. Here’s why:
”The secondary prompts are quite different and creative compared to other schools, which meant I had to write all the essays from scratch, rather than repurpose essays from other applications. This was time-consuming and challenging. To overcome this, I made sure to start drafting the essays early, before I received a secondary invitation.” - Daniela M. Barata Herrera, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Medical School Interview at Johns Hopkins
Medical school interviews begin in mid-August. Each applicant will attend two interviews, one with a faculty member and the other with a senior medical student.
Be prepared to ask a few questions, if given the opportunity. Thoughtful inquiries demonstrate your genuine interest in the program. Here are a few questions to consider asking:
- What excites you the most about the Johns Hopkins Medical School program?
- What resources and supports are available to help students?
Be sure to check out some Johns Hopkins medical school interview questions to start preparing!
Contact Information
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Admissions Page
Johns Hopkins Admissions Office:
410-614-3385
FAQs
1. What is a good MCAT score for the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine MD program?
The median MCAT score of matriculants was 521. You can retake the MCAT up to 3 times in a given year, so if your initial score is below 521 you may wish to retest. .
2. What GPA do I need to get into Johns Hopkins medical school?
The average GPA for students accepted to Johns Hopkins Medical School is 3.96.
3. What is Johns Hopkins medical school known for?
Johns Hopkins Medical School is known for its history of medical innovation and progressive practices. For example, it pioneered the use of gloves during surgeries. The school has a long tradition of being a leader in medical research and innovative education that has influenced medical schools worldwide.
4. How much does it cost to attend the Johns Hopkins MD program?
Annual costs average about $102,068, and the average debt for graduates is $104,745.
5. What is the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s overall acceptance rate?
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s overall acceptance rate is 6.3%.
6. What supplemental information can I send along with my application?
The admissions committee at Johns Hopkins Medical School only reviews your AMCAS application, your secondary application, the required reference letters, and MCAT scores. Any additional information or materials will not be reviewed.
7. What is Johns Hopkins medical school known for?
Johns Hopkins Medical School is known for its history of medical innovation and progressive practices. For example, it pioneered the use of gloves during surgeries. The school has a long tradition of being a leader in medical research and innovative education that has influenced medical schools worldwide.
To your success,
Your friends at BeMo
BeMo Academic Consulting
Disclaimer: BeMo does not endorse or affiliate with any universities, colleges, or official test administrators. The content has been developed based on the most recent publicly available data provided from the official university website. However, you should always check the statistics/requirements with the official school website for the most up to date information. You are responsible for your own results.
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